The Xbox Series X and Series S are launching on November 10, 2020, bringing better resolution, higher frame rates, and ray tracing to gamers around the world. These upcoming Xbox Series X games should showcase that.
In May and July, Microsoft held all-digital events to show a slate of new games to the world. Some of these games will take advantage of all specs the Series X has to offer, earning an "Optimized for Series X" badge, while others will not. These games will showcase fast load times, improved graphical fidelity, and frame rates up to 120 frames per second. Some - though not all - will even take advantage of Microsoft's new Smart Delivery system, which allows you to purchase a game one time and access the best version of that title no matter which console you're playing on.
If you're eager to find out what Microsoft has in store for the years ahead, we've rounded up every game confirmed so far, including new offerings, franchise installments, and ports of existing titles. Needless to say, Halo Infinite is just the beginning.
Further reading
Confirmed games
Halo Infinite
Halo Infinite is the next chapter in the Halo franchise, and although it was announced as a launch title, the game has been delayed until 2021. It's one of the most anticipated Series X releases as of right now, one that continues the story of Halo 5: Guardians. From what we've heard thus far, it seems to be even more ambitious than previous games in the series, powered by the 343's new Slipspace Engine. The Slipspace Engine breathes new life into the Halo universe, as it better conveys the characters' emotions. We also know that the game is larger than the previous two Halo games combined, at least according to Microsoft's July 20/20 Series X event.
State of Decay 3
State of Decay 3 exists, and that's about all we know. A follow-up to Undead Labs' open-world zombie game a few years ago, State of Decay 3 is launching exclusively on Xbox Series X and PC and will be coming to Game Pass on release day.
Forza Motorsport
A new Forza game is hardly a surprise, but we're getting another, simply titled Forza Motorsport. We don't have a release date on this one yet, but we know it's coming to Xbox Series X and PC exclusively, and that it'll feature real-time ray tracing at 4K and 60 frames per second.
Avowed
As Dusk Falls
As Dusk Falls is the first game from Interior Night, a U.K.-based studio made up of former Sony and Quantic Dream developers (known for work on Detroit: Become Human and Beyond Two Souls). True to form, As Dusk Falls is a narrative-driven adventure game involving two families over the course of two generations. We haven't seen any gameplay, but it looks like As Dusk Falls could use hand-painted images to tell its story, like a beautiful graphic novel playing out on screen. We'll know when the game launches on Xbox Series X, PC, and Xbox One, probably in 2021.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
Microsoft didn't show much on S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 in its latest showcase, but we at least know that the game is making its console debut on Series X. A PC exclusive series for many years, this survival horror shooter will likely stretch the limits of the Series X when it launches. If you need more horsepower, it's coming to PC, too.
Tetris Effect: Connected
Warhammer 40K: Darktide
The Gunk
The Gunk is a new action-adventure game from Steamworld developer Image and Form. As the studio's first foray into the 3D realm, it'll be interesting to see how The Gunk turns out when it launches as a timed-exclusive on Series X, Xbox One, and PC in September 2021.
Fable
The Fable franchise is getting a reboot with Fable, developed by Forza Horizon studio Playground Games. We don't know much about the game, short of a vague announcement trailer shown during Microsoft's July Xbox Series X showcase. We don't have a release date yet, so it'll likely be many moons before we dive back into the fantasy world Lionhead created years ago. We do know, however, that the game is coming to Xbox Series X and PC, and that it's launching on Game Pass.
Psychonauts 2
Psychonauts is back, and Double Fine Productions is in charge of developing the once-dormant, Xbox-exclusive series. In this installment, Raz must use his power to bring Maligula back from the dead. Although Microsoft showed more of the game during its July showcase, there still isn't a release date. Psychonauts 2 will launch on Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, PC, Mac, and Linux.
Crossfire X
Senua's Saga: Hellblade II
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is a narrative-focused adventure game that focuses on the events that occur between Gollum finding the One Ring and the start of the Lord of the Rings story we all know and love. Deadalic Entertainment inked a deal with Middle-Earth Enterprises to develop this project, meaning the game will be more akin to the books, not the movies.
The Medium
The Medium is a horror game developed by Bloober Team. In this dual-reality horror title, you play as a medium living in both the real world and a spirit world. Haunted by a vision of a murdered child, you set out to get to the bottom of a tragedy, sifting through puzzles in an eerie world set to the music of Arkadiusz Reikowski and Akira Yamaoka (of Silent Hill fame).
Everwild
Bright Memory Infinite
Bright Memory Infinite is a sci-shooter with an episodic twist. The game, developed by indie Chinese studio FYQD Studio, takes the FPS genre and adds close-quarters combat, delivering fast-paced action as you take on the role of Shelia, an employee of the Science Research Organization tasked with stopping a military organization from acquiring a legendary ancient power that can reawaken the dead.
Early episodes of the game have been available through Steam's Early Access program since last year and have received positive reviews from critics. The original Bright Memory was developed by a single person, showcasing the power of Unreal Engine for solo developers. There were plenty of bugs and instruction issues - mainly because of poor translation - but we expect those issues to be cleaned up when the game launches for current-gen consoles and Series X later this year.
Call of the Sea
Dirt 5
Dirt 5, coming in October, is the latest installment in Codemasters' off-road series. The forthcoming installment adds new features and innovations, allowing players to create highlight reel moments with ease. With the broadest range of cars of any Dirt game, you will be able to drive rally cars, trucks, GT heroes, and a lot more.
Four-player split-screen is another feature that Dirt 5 offers, so get your friends ready to create some fantastic highlight reels. The prestigious voice talents of Troy Baker and Nolan North are also there to help guide you throughout the Career mode.
Gears 5
The story in Gears 5 takes place right after Gears 4 and focuses on Kait Diaz. Gears 5 is bigger in terms of size and scope than any previous installment of the series, and you can play with up to two other people. You can also play as Jack and support your fellow gear soldiers with crowd controls. Gears 5 introduces Escape as well, a new game mode that puts the pressure on you and your fireteam as you try to destroy a Swarm hive from the inside out. Expect Gears 5 to be stunning at 4K 60 fps.
Read our full Gears 5 reviewRainbow Six Siege
Tactical shooter Rainbow Six Siege, one of Ubisoft's most successful games on current-gen consoles, will be available on the X Series and have a cross-gen multiplayer. With more than 54 playable characters, the multiplayer shooter stands out from the crowd as a slower-paced, more realistic shooter compared to the Call of Duty series or popular battle royales. In every multiplayer match, one of two five-player teams plays defense while the other attacks, one playing a terrorist group and the other a conglomeration of special forces meant to stop them.
No word yet about if it will utilize Xbox Smart Delivery or will be Xbox Series X optimized.
Read our full Rainbow Six Siege reviewScorn
First-person horror game Scorn drops players into a nightmarish, puzzle-filled world. The game has been in the works since 2013 and is finally being released as the ultimate horror experience on Xbox. According to developer Ebb Software, the world of Scorn draws visual inspiration from Swiss painter H.R. Giger and Polish painter Zdzislaw Beksinski, and conceptual inspiration has come from works by notable writers Franz Kafka, Thomas Ligotti, and J.G. Ballard, among others. Basically, this is going to be a dreamworld experience like no other.
The Ascent
The Ascent is a cyberpunk action RPG that can be taken on solo or with friends. On the world of Veles, players start off as a worker at The Ascent Group, a dystopian mega-corporation that essentially owns everything - and everyone. One day, however, the corporation shuts down for unknown reasons, and the metropolis you live in plunges into chaos, leaving you and your friends to survive, fight crime syndicates, and stop other corporations from moving in and staking claim to your district.
You're able to fully customize your character's appearance, skills, and abilities throughout the game as you work to defeat rival corporations. Shooting and looting are staples, but there are plenty of strategies involved when squaring up against your enemies and finding their weaknesses.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio are back again with the next installment in the Yakuza franchise. In Like a Dragon, you play as Ichiban Kasuga, a low-ranking yakuza grunt taking on the underworld of modern-day Japan. Kasuga is asked by the leader of the Tojo Clan's Arakawa Family to go to prison for a murder he didn't commit to protect the real killer. After taking the fall and emerging from prison 18 years later, however, Kasuga does not get a welcome back party, and much of the game is spent uncovering the reason for his prison sentence while enacting revenge on various crime bosses. Of course, the mission can't be complete without bringing together a party of allies. You're able to customize Kasuga's role and skills as well - he can become a bodyguard, a musician, or even a chef throughout his journey. Also, it wouldn't be a Yakuza game if you were not able to take a break from fighting and sing a couple of karaoke gems.
Like a Dragon first launched in January as a Japanese exclusive, and it's coming to the rest of the world later this year. The game officially launches on November 13, but Series X and Series S owners can play it early, on November 10, 2020.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Assassin's Creed Valhalla is the next installation in Ubisoft's popular gaming franchise. The title sees you taking on the role of Eivor, a Viking raider exploring ninth-century Norway and England, as he leads a crew of raiders and launches an attack on Saxon armies and fortresses. Opposing the Vikings is Aelfred the Great, king of Wessex, who led the Anglo-Saxon resistance to the Viking invaders.
Every choice that you make creates an exciting path forward. Vikings are known to be ruthless, and the weapon choices in Valhalla exudes that. You'll often find yourself dual-wielding axes and swords, for instance, as well as taking up shields against your foes. Plus, it wouldn't be an Assassin's Creed game without your hidden blade.
Watch Dogs: Legion
Watch Dogs: Legion is the next installment in Ubisoft's stealth-hacking series. This time, there isn't a main character - in this installment, you can play as anyone, with each character having their own story. Throughout the game, you can recruit anyone to join you in the fight against the authoritarian government. Your decisions, when engaging with individuals, will determine if they are for your hacktivist group or in opposition. There are nearly endless possibilities in Watch Dogs: Legion, and now you can play with up to three friends in online co-op missions.
Immortals Fenyx Rising
Those eager to get their hands on a copy, thankfully, don't have to wait long. Immortals Fenyx Rising is set to release on December 3, 2020.
Observer: System Redux
Blooper Team's Observer: System Redux - first released in 2017 - is a dark, cyberpunk horror experience like no other. Players take on the role of Daniel Lazarski, an investigator who can view the memories and thoughts of suspects, and explore a world filled with mind-altering drugs and neural implants. The upcoming Observer: System Redux is more than a typical remaster, however, as it will feature new gameplay and story content, as well as graphics and gameplay improvements.
Outriders
Chorus
Chorus is a modern take on the classic space shooters developed by Deep Silver. The title is expected to be a fast-paced, single-player experience, one that pits you against hordes of enemy starfighters, large battleships, and unknown Void entities. You can play as one of two characters: An ace pilot and ex-cultist named Nara or Forsaken, a sentient AI starfighter. Throughout the game, you will be able to unlock devastating weapons, mind-bending abilities, and engage in zero-g combat.
Madden NFL 21 (TBA)
Madden NFL 21 is the next installment in the popular football franchise and will feature Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson on the cover. EA is using a system similar to Microsoft's Smart Delivery, though EA stipulates that players will have a limited window to upgrade to the Series X version of the game. As of right now, gamers will have until March 31, 2021, to upgrade a current version of Madden 21 to a next-gen version.
Battlefield 6
EA has not revealed much about Battlefield 6, a high-action FPS, except for it being released during the company's fiscal year of 2022 (which means April 2021 to March 2022). We do know that it is in development for next-gen consoles, though. Battlefield games are known for lots of destruction, so it is likely going to take full advantage of the hardware specs that the Xbox Series X has to offer.
Microman
Rainbow Six Quarantine
Scarlet Nexus
Scarlet Nexus is an action JRPG from the minds behind Tales of Vesperia. It's set in a distant future, one where people showcase extrasensory powers thanks to a psionic hormone found in the human brain. As humanity grapples with this step in human evolution, the world is attacked by mutants, known as Others, who are hungry for human brains. The deranged mutants cannot be stopped with traditional weapons, however, leaving gifted psionics as the world's only defense.
As Other Suppression Force recruit Yuito Sumeragi, you explore the advanced city of New Himuka and uncover the mysteries of a Brain Punk, fighting off mutants with your extrasensory powers.
The Second Extinction
The Second Extinction is a FPS developed by Systemic Reaction. Teamwork is vital in this co-op title, and you must use a unique set of weapons, abilities, and skills as you work to eradicate mutated dinosaurs and reclaim Earth through a series of short guerilla missions. While details remain slim, initial trailers and news have compared the forthcoming title to the Left 4 Dead series.
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2
Set in a dark and reimagined Seattle, Bloodlines 2 is the sequel to a 2004 cult classic. In this action RPG, you play as a human who is killed and revived as a thinblood - aka a relatively weak vampire. You can customize your character via a handful of upgradable disciplines and even pledge your allegiance to a vampire clan and navigate the World of Darkness, an alternative earth where vampires, werewolves, demons, and other creatures shape human history. Vampires must stay hidden from the human race as much as they can, but rogue vampires have been publicly attacking the population of Seattle and causing tension between the city's clans. Your decisions will change the balance of power in the city.
Fortnite
Warframe
Free-to-play shooter Warframe has been around on most platforms for seven years, and it looks like it'll be making the jump to the next generation. Leyou Technology confirmed in an earnings report that Warframe will be coming to next-gen consoles.
In Warframe, you play as warriors called Tenno, each of which is equipped with blades, guns, and high-tech armor. Tennos need to defeat the Grineer armies that are spreading throughout the solar system. Warframe can be played solo or with up to three other people.
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world, action-adventure title developed by CD Projekt Red, the famed developer of the Witcher series. In it, you play as V, an urban mercenary equipped with cybernetic enhancements. Cyberpunk 2077 features an in-depth character creation system that allows you to customize your cyberware, skillset, and playstyle. Choices are essential here, as they shape both the story and the world of Night City.
Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War
Although a string of leaks tipped off players well before the announcement, Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War is now officially the next entry in Activision's monolithic franchise. The game is set to launch across current and next-gen platforms on November 13, 2020. There are next-gen upgrades available, but they aren't free. The PS5 and Xbox Series X versions run $70, while the Xbox One and PS4 versions run $60. If you buy the current-gen version, you can upgrade at a later date for an extra $10.
Borderlands 3
Borderlands 3 is coming to next-gen console as a free upgrade for current owners. Gearbox promises 4K at 60 frames per second on Series X while in single-player, though doesn't make the same promise for Series S. Presumably, the upgrade is coming either at launch or shortly after, but we don't have a date yet. The upgrade also includes three- and four-player split-screen multiplayer.
Read our Borderlands 3 reviewControl: Ultimate Edition
Read our Control reviewDestiny 2
Destiny 2 is coming to Series X and PS5 at some point, with more details coming later this year. The game itself is, of course, free, so you don't need to worry about next-gen upgrades. Still, Bungie is supporting Smart Delivery for the upcoming Beyond Light expansion, which is set to launch on the same day as Series X, November 10.
Read our Destiny 2 reviewFar Cry 6
Far Cry 6 is coming to next-gen, and even better, it supports Smart Delivery. Starring Giancarlo Esposito of Breaking Bad fame, the game follows Danny, a revolutionist who has joined ranks with the people of Yara to overthrow dictator Anton Castillo (played by Esposito). The game is set to launch on February 18, 2021.
Gotham Knights
Grand Theft Auto 5
Now spanning three console generations, Grand Theft Auto 5 is coming to Xbox Series X in 2021. Outside of claims of being "new and enhanced," we don't know much about the next-gen version. We'll continue holding our breath on GTA 6.
Hitman 3
Hitman 3 marks the end of IO Interactive's World of Assassination, which began with 2016's Hitman reboot. The game launches on January 20, 2021, for current and next-gen consoles, with a free upgrade available. IO Interactive also announced a VR mode for the game with PlayStation VR, so maybe that mode will come to Series X if Microsoft decides to ever release a headset.
Hood: Outlaws and Legends
Hogwarts Legacy
The long-rumored open-world Harry Potter game is finally here, and it has a name. Hogwarts Legacy is set in the world of Harry Potter, of course, but new developer Portkey Games appears to be taking the story in a different direction. Although the game was announced during Sony's September PS5 event, Hogwarts Legacy is also launching on Series X. We don't know when that's happening, though.
Resident Evil 8: Village
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Rocksteady isn't making Gotham Knights because it's busy working on Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. It's one of a few confirmed next-gen exclusives, launching on Series X in 2022. We don't know much about the game yet, but it takes place in the Batman: Arkham universe and is set in an open-world Metropolis. We also know the four playable characters in the game: Harley Quinn, King Shark, Deadshot, and Captain Boomerang.
TemTem
TemTem has been in early access for a while on PC. For those unaware, it's basically Pokémon as an MMO. The gameplay loop sees you running around various islands, hunting and catching monsters while leveling up the monsters you already have. The game was originally slated to launch this year on PS4 and Xbox One, but the current-gen versions were canceled to focus on Series X and PS5. Currently, TemTem is set to launch in 2021.
Overcooked: All You Can Eat
Unconfirmed, but likely games
Dragon Age 4
Technically, Dragon Age 4 isn't confirmed for Xbox Series X. It's just confirmed as a "next-gen experience." As a massive third-party IP, though, it'll probably launch on Series X. We don't have a release date or really any information about the next Dragon Age game, but don't expect it soon. At best, the release date won't be until 2022 or 2023.
Starfield
Starfield is Bethesda's first original RPG in 25 years. Bethesda has not revealed much outside of a teaser shown at E3 2018 and confirmation that the game would be a single-player experience. It's been two years since the reveal of Starfield, but the sheer lack of news hasn't kept fans from clamoring for even the smallest bit of information. A potential space-Skyrim? Yes, please.
The Elder Scrolls VI
Just like Starfield, Elder Scrolls VI was announced at E3 2018 and is still years away from release. In fact, Pete Hines of Bethesda recently revealed on Twitter that the Elder Scrolls VI wouldn't launch until after Starfield. With the Xbox Series X, we can expect more expansive maps and faster loading times, though there is no definitive date as to when we might set foot once again on the continent of Tamriel.
Elden Ring
Elden Ring, a forthcoming game from Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R. R. Martin ( Game of Thrones), is a title still shrouded in mystery. Although little is known about the forthcoming fantasy epic, Elden Ring is FromSoftware's largest game to date, one that promises Dark Souls-like combat and vibrant storytelling. Elden Ring has been in development since the final DLC of Dark Souls 3, yet there's no word on when we will see gameplay. It's currently slated for current-gen systems, potentially in the latter half of 2020.
Microsoft Flight Simulator
The next iteration of everyone's favorite flight simulator is already melting PCs, but apparently it'll make its way to consoles at some point. For the unfamiliar, Microsoft Flight Simulator puts you in the cockpit of everything from light planes to wide-body jets, allowing you to fly across lifelike scenery from the comfort of your living room. Flights will not always be relaxing, though, as realistic weather conditions will show up and affect your flights. Needless to say, few simulators offer this level of realism.